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In the run up to the two national party conventions I’ve done some informal polling. For the past few weeks I’ve asked my eco-minded friends this question: what percentage of NASCAR fans consider themselves “green?”

One hundred percent of my friends scoffed. Not one gave an answer higher than 15%.

But according to NASCAR’s Manager of Green Innovation, Catherine Kummer, more than 50% of NASCAR fan households think of themselves as “green” and look for ways to positively impact the environment. Often thought of as inherently conservative and Republican, NASCAR fans care about the environment — and so does NASCAR itself.

Surprised? Don’t be. The environment has long been a Republican issue. Conservation of green spaces was pioneered by Republican Teddy Roosevelt with the establishment of the National Parks. The EPA, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act were all created, signed, or expanded under that well known hippie, Richard Nixon.

Does it matter that Red State conservatives want to preserve the oceans, rivers, and forests to camp, hunt, and fish in them? No. It exemplifies the core of enlightened sustainability, long-term self-interest. Ice caps and species extinction are abstractions. Your kid’s camping trip has a more personal, and lasting, impact on behavior.

The proof? NASCAR’s own “shared value” approach to sustainability. “This program originated back in 2008 with an insight from NASCAR leadership that America was headed in a green direction,” says NASCAR’s Michael Lynch, Managing Director of Green Innovation. “Corporate America recognized it and consumers were developing an identity around it as something good for our kids and grandkids.”

In response NASCAR improved its operations and those of its partners and suppliers, building the most sustainable venue in all of sports, cutting emissions by 20%, and converting 100% of the racing fleet to — wait for it — biofuel. The switch to Sunoco Green E15, the official fuel of NASCAR and a renewable, low-carbon power source, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared with unleaded gas.

But the bigger shift came in the lasting impact on fan attitudes and behaviors. “Four years ago, NASCAR fans tracked with the baseline of the U.S. population,” when it came to being green, says Lynch. “Today, NASCAR fans are 50% more likely than non-fans to consider themselves green…and avid NASCAR fans are 100% more likely.”

Turning NASCAR green required the long view. “Some people saw NASCAR and green as an oxymoron,” says Lynch. “The sport itself burns a fossil fuel to put on the show.” And it took a high tolerance for risk. “The head winds in 2008 were extremely potent,” he adds. “The fall of 2008 was a terrible time in the U.S. economy. You could argue we had bigger fish to fry and why focus on this? It seemed risky, but it made a big difference and we’re glad we did it.” (Note: to hear directly from Michael Lynch, join us at the COMMIT!Forum on Oct 2 in NYC).

It also required some deep thinking. When asked about the decision to use a food-based fuel like ethanol, Lynch said, “We’re very cognizant of the range of [alternative energy] solutions of which corn ethanol is a major part. It’s the one alternative that’s available and plausible on a mass-market basis today. We’ve looked deeply at the data and the science and consulted with experts in the field. The 15% of [gross corn] production that goes into ethanol production has a minimal impact on food prices and has offsetting positive impacts on the rest of the food cycle.”

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But they do have 2 cars running in the nationwide series that are running Green motor oil G-OIL described per their website:

GET-Products replace the petrochemical base of traditional appearance and performance chemicals with an Ultimate Biodegradable bio base made with plants or animal fat. It is sustainable and can be collected domestically with grown beef, pork, chicken fat and plant oils. Bottles are made with 30% post consumer recyclable plastic and our labels are printed with water based inks on recycled paper. Plant & animal fats GET recycled to make a highly demanded product in place of foreign oil.

See they’re not stating it takes more energy to produce that garbage they call ethanol than what the ethanol produces itself, plus it is worse for the environment because it takes more of the ethanol to burn at the same temperature than regular gasoline. Just looking at it from a consumer standpoint, you get less gas mileage, it corrodes the fuel lines, clogs the injectors or carburetors. The list just goes on and on.

Hmm. I’m not sure the science — or the race car drivers — are on your side. According to NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr (see comment above) there hasn’t been an impact on performance.

Moreover, “It’s truly a win-win situation for everyone involved. This is a huge step towards being green. Every corporation across America needs to focus on that. I’m a Kansas boy from the Midwest and I’ve seen the benefits and impact that it has made across the Midwest and farming industry. A lot of my family and friends are farmers and it’s a big deal for me. I’m excited to see it burning in our race cars and fueling us in those close wins like we’ve had several times in our sport this year,” said #20 Clint Bowyer.